In a fuzzy regression discontinuity (RD) design, the probability of treatment jumps when a running variable (R) passes a threshold (R0). Fuzzy RD estimates are obtained via a procedure analogous to two-stage least squares (2SLS), where an indicator I(R R0) plays the role of the instrument....

Many empirical studies use Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity (FRD) designs to identify treatment effects when the receipt of treatment is potentially correlated to outcomes. Existing FRD methods identify the local average treatment effect (LATE) on the subpopulation of compliers with values of the...

Improved health, equity, macro-economic efficiency, efficient provision of care, and client satisfaction are the common goals of the health system. The relative significance of these goals varies, however, across nations, communities, and with time. As for health care finance, the attainment of...

This study documents a strong inverse relationship between accident rates and production in a sample of eleven firms in the same narrowly defined industry classification. Given the detailed set of input controls and controls for plant-specific and time-specific factors used in the analysis, the...

This paper examines how the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative and large language models capable of interpolating precisely between known data points, reshapes scientists' incentives for pursuing novel versus incremental research. Extending the theoretical...

The U.S. government has funded university research for nearly 80 years, with a significant share of this funding supporting the fixed costs of science through indirect cost recovery (ICR). We explain the history, objectives, and mechanics of ICR policy and review key controversies. We also...

Small businesses have long supplied a disproportionate share of major innovations in the United States. We review a centerpiece policy on this topic: the US Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. We trace its legislative history and summarize program evaluations over the past four...

Recent empirical evidence by Fieldhouse and Mertens (2024) points to a strong causal link between federal nondefense R&D funding and private-sector productivity growth, and large implied social returns to public R&D investment. We show that these high social return estimates broadly align with...

This paper examines the evolving policy landscape surrounding foreign investment restrictions in innovative startups. Drawing on recent research, we analyze both the security benefits and economic costs of policies like the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA). The evidence...

We quantify the private returns to government R&D contracts awarded to firms. We present new evidence that R&D contracts not only finance innovation but also embed an implicit government guarantee of noncompetitive future procurement for the winning R&D contractor. We measure its private value...